Statements of injured railway passengers recorded

by Jayampathy JAYASINGHE

Police have recorded the statements of several passengers who were injured in a train accident when a Colombo-bound train from Badulla ploughed into a stationary train at Veyangoda last week. Police Media Spokesman, SP Ajith Rohana told the Sunday Observer.

The accident occurred when the slow train bound to Colombo from Polgahawela stalled near the Kinnewela railway station at Veyangoda. The Colombo-bound train from Badulla, transporting oil, ploughed into the stalled train, injuring several passengers. Three persons who sustained injuries were admitted to the Wathupitiwela hospital while 15 others received outdoor treatment.

It is not certain whether the Colombo-bound train from Badulla ignored a signal before it ploughed into the other train. Attempts to contact the General Manager of Railways yesterday proved futile. Two oil tankers were derailed as a result of the collision. The engine drivers of both trains sustained minor injuries.

Meanwhile, two men were killed when they were knocked by trains. A man committed suicide by jumping in front of a moving train at Dematagoda while the other was run over by the Colombo-bound train from Puttalam at Mundal, the police spokesman said.